CHAPTER XII 

 SOME BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES (continued) 



ADJOINING the pretty village of Newton-le- 

 Willows, Lancashire, is a lake or mere, wherein 

 all and sundry, on payment of one guinea per 

 annum, or a small fee for the week or day, may 

 angle. 



Thither from the town of Warrington close by 

 I, in somewhat sceptic mood, hied me to test the 

 truth of the local assertion that I was " bound to 

 have good sport." 



First of all I had to hunt up the agent who sold 

 the permits. As might be expected he was out, 

 but his wife was in, and, taking my fee, she told 

 me that the tickets were locked up, but that it 

 would be all right if I assured the keeper that I 

 was duly qualified to fish. I knew what that 

 involved ! 



The mere was an ideal place ; low-banked, with 

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